Isn't it funny, I will say what has already been said, that everybody that has signed with the Lakers always wanted to play in LA or the Lakers and took less money to do so? My last jab at the guy that left LA.

His plans to watch this year’s Summer League team took Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak away from a routine he developed in recent weeks.

He would shake hands with a newly acquired free agent. Kupchak then displayed the players’ freshly minted Lakers jersey before shuttering cameras. And then Kupchak spoke into a horde of microphones gushing about the player’s skillset.

That changed when the Lakers introduced swingman Wesley Johnson Thursday at the team’s facility in El Segundo shortly after signing him to a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum worth a little under $1 million. Lakers spokesman John Black revealed Kupchak’s expectations that he may or may not have wanted divulged.

“He thinks Wesley can develop into a Michael Cooper or Trevor Ariza type player,” Black said. “Mitch will probably be mad at me for sharing that with you guys publicly. But I think all Laker fans would be very happy if something like that were to happen, as would we.”

Considering how he finished last season and this quote from the presser

Johnson, who’s admitted lacking assertiveness in previous seasons, believes his frequent offseason workouts have erased that habit. In those sessions, Johnson said his game has “catapulted” this offseason after developed on all areas, ranging from his shooting, ball handling and conditioning.

“It’ll happen when the season starts as far as showing you how I’ve asserted myself,” Johnson said. “I think being in the gym a whole lot changed my whole mindset and going through what I was going through my first three years. Having been through that, it’s come to an end. I’m going to show you the real Wes. I’ll go back to playing basketball.”

His strong showing at the end of last season may not be a fluke and actually be something to build on. Which would be great.

Isn't it funny, I will say what has already been said, that everybody that has signed with the Lakers always wanted to play in LA or the Lakers and took less money to do so? My last jab at the guy that left LA.

I love how every single guy we have signed has taken a major paycut. Either because they felt this was the best spot for them (Kaman) or they dreamed of playing here (Young,Johnson) or missed being here (Farmar). Whatever the reason, they proved that while we may have lost a big name free agent, the proud history of this franchise is still a draw card to some players. Love that they really WANT to be here. Each in their own way have a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. Hope they all do well and help our team as well as their own futures.